HSI stops central PA drug trafficking ring
PHILADELPHIA — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) case led to the arrests and charges against seven drug traffickers and the conviction of their ring leader.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania unsealed the indictments Nov. 21 against the seven Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, residents on charges relating to the unlawful distribution of bath salts, which are synthetic drugs equivalent to other illegal recreational substances, after their leader pleaded guilty.
"Bath salts and other chemically made drugs are extremely dangerous and pose a dangerous health risks to communities," said John Kelleghan, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. "This is just one example of HSI’s commitment to track down and dismantle those who create and distribute these destructive chemicals."
The following people were taken into custody in Pennsylvania:
- David Folweiler, 27, of West Pittston
- Alan Folweiler, 21, of West Pittston
- John Pearce, 29, of West Pittston
- Frank Xavier Brennan, 33, of Kingston
- Maura Kathio, 25, of Yatesville
- Tiffany Pradel, 30, of Pittston Township
- Marguerita Ann Davis, 59, of Pittston
The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton, in August 2014 for their alleged participation in a bath salts trafficking and distribution ring led by Todd Morgans. Morgans was arrested in July 2013, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison in September 2014. The indictment was sealed pending the arrest of the defendants.
David Folweiler, Alan Folweiler, Mauro Kathio, and Margherita Davis were arrested on Nov. 12, 2014.
David Folweiler was ordered detained pending trial. The others were released on bail with conditions.
John Pearce and Tiffany Pradel were arrested on Nov. 14, 2014. Pearce and Pradel were ordered detained pending trial.
Frank Xavier Brennan surrendered to special agents Nov. 21, 2014 and was released on bail pending trial.
The maximum sentence for the offense is imprisonment for 20 years, a fine of $1,000,000 and supervised release for a period of at least three years.
This case was the result of an investigation by HSI, the Pennsylvania State Police, The United States Postal Inspection Service and the West Pittston, Jenkins Township, and the Pittston City Police Departments.
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